Beethoven 250June 15, 2020

Beethoven 250

● Check the Tech● Introductions● Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

○ His Life○ His Music○ His Legacy○ His Big Birthday Year

Check the Tech

● Everything working?● See and hear?● Zoom Etiquette

○ We are recording!○ Please remain muted to reduce background noise.○ Questions? Yes! In the chat, please.○ If you need to step out, please stop video.○ We will have Q&A at the end.

Glad you are here tonight!

● Steve Kurr○ Middleton HS Orchestra Teacher○ Founding Conductor - Middleton Community Orchestra○ M.M. and doctoral work in Musicology from UW-Madison

■ Specialties in Classic Period and Orchestra Conducting○ Continuing Ed course through UW for almost 25 years

Beethoven at 250

● What new concepts can we learn?● What new contexts can we hear?● My challenge to you!

Beethoven’s Context

● Setting the scene in the 1790s● Classic Period

○ Balance & Structure○ Transition from Baroque to Romantic○ The Time of Haydn & Mozart

● Patronage System

Bach: “Little” Fugue

Haydn: Symphony No.94

Mozart: Variations

Beethoven’s Life (Nutshell Version)

● 1770: Born Bonn● 1792: Moved to Vienna to study with Mozart● 1795-1802: Early Period

○ Classic, Haydnesque, balance● 1802-1812: Middle Period

○ Public, heroic, exploratory, struggle● 1813-1827: Late Period

○ Private, interior, contemplative, visionary

Beethoven’s Music (Also Nutshell Version)

● 9 Symphonies● 7 +2 concertos● 32 Piano sonatas

○ Other solo piano works (bagatelles, variations, etc.)● 16 String Quartets

○ Other Chamber Music (winds, piano, strings)● 1 Opera

○ Other stage music (ballet, incidental, dance)

Beethoven’s Legacy

● Many works in standard repertoire● Influenced so many who followed

○ Brahms, Wagner, usw.○ Curse of Nine

● Transition from Classic to Romantic● Freelance composer● A new concept of musical legacy

Beethoven’s Legacy through Symphonies

● Too much music for 45 minutes!● Focus: The 9 Symphonies

○ Discuss some groundbreaking characteristics in each.○ We could do this with all the genres of his output.○ Choose symphony because of MSO.

Good book if you are looking for lots of info:Beethoven Compendium by Barry Cooper (1991)

Beethoven’s Legacy through Symphonies

Symphony No.1

Symphony No.1 Symphony No.2 Symphony No.3 Symphony No.4 Symphony No.5

Symphony No.6 Symphony No.7 Symphony No.8 Symphony No.9

Beethoven’s Big Birthday Year

● Expect plenty on concerts (we hope…)○ MSO performing 7 works○ Other groups doing the same

● Recordings○ DG, Naxos, etc.

● Books & Web○ Swafford, Padel, Dusinberre, etc.

Q & A

● Please unmute if you have a question.● If you feel more comfortable, type into the Chat.● I will answer all of your questions!

A Parting Gift

● I have a PDF handout of some ofwhat we discussed tonight.○ Link to a Google Doc○ Email attachment if you wish

● Also my email if you have any follow up questions or comments: smkurr@gmail.com

In 2 Weeks:

● We will do this again!● Topic for Monday 6/29: Humor & Classical Music● Same Zoom format: look for an email with the link.● Please fill out the MSOL Event Survey--very short!

https://forms.gle/UcWknLshm5NfiP4u5

Thank you!

These slides were created by Steve Kurr for the Madison Symphony Orchestra League Connect Events. Please direct comments and questions to smkurr@gmail.com.